Interesting read put out by the APA (American pilots union)
Age 60 Retirement
In 2005, the Senate aviation subcommittee adopted language on a voice vote, requiring the FAA to align the mandatory retirement age to an ICAO standard under development. Although not scheduled for a Senate floor vote, it is anticipated that action on Age 60 will take place during this session. The House has not indicated a time frame. We continue to express our opposition to any change. Following is a synopsis of the ICAO process.
ICAO Retirement Age Proposal
The Joint Aviation Requirements (JAR) is a series of regulations implemented by the European states of the Joint Aviation Authorities (JAA). These replace national regulations so that a harmonized set of standards are applied by all states. The aim is to allow a seamless interchange of aircraft, operations, training and licensing throughout the JAA states. A new system of European aviation regulations (EASA - the European Aviation Safety Agency) was introduced in September 2003, and will gradually supersede the JAR.
ICAO is currently reviewing a proposal to increase the upper age limit for airline pilots from 60 to 65 years. A State letter on the subject was circulated to the member countries in December 2003 and 112 replied. Of these, 83% indicated that an international age limit above 60 years would be appropriate for airline pilots. Seventy two Countries would welcome an international upper age limit of 65 years for pilots engaged in multi-crew operations and a further six Countries preferred no upper age limit at all. Many were of the opinion that only one pilot of age 60 years or older should be accepted in any one flight crew. 16% indicated their preference to maintain the current upper age limit of 60 years, citing possible safety risks and a lack of convincing data that flying after age 60 is safe.
In the light of the responses to the State letter, a proposal to amend Annex 1 to increase the upper age limit for pilots was circulated to the member States in February 2005. This proposed the following new wording for Annex 1:
2.1.10.1 A Contracting State, having issued pilot licenses, shall not permit the holders thereof to act as pilot-in-command of an aircraft engaged in international commercial air transport operations if the license holders have attained their 60th birthday or, in the case of operations with more than one pilot where the other pilot is younger than 60 years of age, their 65th birthday.
2.1.10.2 Recommendation. - A Contracting State, having issued pilot licenses, should not permit the holders thereof to act as co-pilot of an aircraft engaged in international commercial air transport operations if the license holders have attained their 65th birthday.
An ICAO Standard, as is paragraph 2.1.10.1, represents a mandatory minimum requirement and member States must notify ICAO if they do not meet the Standard. States can choose to impose a more restrictive limit. A "Recommendation", is regarded as 'desirable' and does not represent a formal minimum requirement.
Current Situation
The replies to the State letter distributed in February of 2005 were discussed by the ICAO Air Navigation Commission in November 2005. The Commission agreed that a report for consideration by the ICAO Council should be drafted and it is anticipated that the Council will review this in the early part of 2006. The final Amendment is intended to become applicable in November 2006.
The current JAR Medical Standards for the Class 1 Examination are demanding. The exams are required annually if under 40 years of age and every 6 months if over 40 years of age. The exam is more extensive than the FAA Class I and specific differences include more detailed hearing requirements, a Lung Function (Peak Flow) Test, a Hemoglobin Blood Test, a Cholesterol Blood Test, and a Chest X-Ray. All of these items are not required every 6 months. Additionally, the published UK guidelines on examinations indicate exams cost around $620. The LAC committee will provide copies of the specific ICAO medical standards if desired.
The JAA Member States include the following:
United Kingdom Turkey Finland Monaco
Ireland Poland Malta Slovak Republic
Norway France Estonia Sweden
Switzerland Cyprus Netherlands Latvia
Czech Republic Denmark Austria Iceland
Slovenia Croatia Hungary Germany
Portugal Greece Belgium Lithuania
Romania Italy Spain Luxembourg